Daily Archives: November 30, 2009
The Mets have added former Reds GM Wayne Krivsky to their front office staff, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.
Krivsky served as an assistant with the Mets in 2008, then spent the 2009 season with the Orioles as a Special Assistant to the President of Baseball Operations.
To see his track record as GM of the Reds, such as trading Wily Mo Pena for Bronson Arroyo; and trading for Brandon Phillips, who he signed to a long-term deal; check out this post from MLB Trade Rumors.
The Mets have announced the signing of Alex Cora to a one-year contract for the 2010 season, with a vesting, club option for 2011.
In a team press release, Cora is quoted as saying:
“I am excited about coming back. We have a lot to prove as a team after what happened last year. As for me personally, there is unfinished business. I was hurt a great deal of the time and I really wasn’t able to perform like I know I can. I’m healthy now and I can’t wait to get to spring training. We all have something to prove.”
In a post to Twitter, SI.com’s Jon Heyman wrote, “Cora’s financial breakdown: 50 grand for ballplaying, $1.95 mil for being a helluva nice guy.”
…hilarious, jon… well played…
Original Post, 1:40 pm:
The Mets are close to re-signing Alex Cora to a one-year deal, according to Rob Bradford of WEEI in Boston.
The Mets signed free-agent C Chris Coste today, according to Jeff Kolpack of the Forum of Fargo-Moorhead.
Coste, 36, told Kolpack the deal guarantees him a spot on the 40-man roster, “although he said it isn’t a given that he’ll be on the opening-day roster.”
Coste hit .224 in 88 games with the Phillies and Astros last season, during which he played 15 games at first base.
…he used to be a pretty good hitter earlier in his career, when he wrote the book, The 33–year-old Rookie… i don’t recall him being known for his arm behind the plate, or stellar defense… i mean, he is more or less a back-up’s back-up at this point, and will probably compete for a job in spring training…
…i wonder if this means no Henry Blanco, or, will the Mets be looking to corner the market on all-defense, no-hit, ‘gritty,’ veteran, catchers…
Jon Heyman of SI.com lists Mets GM Omar Minaya second on his list of 20 people who are expected to be the real movers and shakers during the Winter Meetings.
According to Heyman, this winter, Minaya needs to fill holes in left field, first base, catcher, the rotation and bullpen, ‘while he is also trying to be rid of Luis Castillo‘s contract, presumably so they can sign Orlando Hudson or Chone Figgins.’
…i love and hate the Winter Meetings… it’s crazy, it’s fun, it’s infuriating, it’s unqiue, and it’s mind-numbing and yet, despite it all, there is that constant possibility that some huge announcement will go down, like last year, when the Mets signed Francisco Rodriguez and made a three-way deal to get J.J. Putz… in the end, i think most people see it as a gigantic tease, which it can be… but, it’s also a place for teams to meet in conference, negotiate and set up action for later in the winter… like i said, it’s crazy, and i can’t wait, as they start next Monday…
Heyman also reports on other news and notes from around MLB, including whether the Tigers are still looking to trade OF Curtis Granderson, and what the market will be for Aroldis Chapman, Jermaine Dye, Roy Halladay, and Edwin Jackson, all of which you can read here.
Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com believes the Mets are in talks with free-agent C Henry Blanco.
…earlier today, i wrote that i expect the Mets to sign a veteran catcher before the Winter Meetings, someone like blanco, i.e., a very good, steady, defensive catcher, who is not a great hitter, but who can start if need be, go to Triple-A, or come in late in games… he will not be their first choice, obviously, but he’ll be a decent fall-back position…
…blanco is one of the best defensive catchers in baseball, he has a strong arm, frames pitches well, he is steady behind the plate, and so, he certainly fits the mold of veteran, defensive catcher… however, he is not a very good hitter… sure, he can have a hot streak or two, he even hit .292 in 58 games for the Cubs back in 2008, but, for the most part, he’s known for his defense… and, i would think he’d act as a fall-back position, like i said earlier today, and, at most, platoon with Omir Santos, with Josh Thole getting work in Triple-A before a mid-season promotion…
…in addition to blanco, i still expect the Mets to explore the trade market, for players like D-Backs C Chris Snyder, Royals C John Buck and Pirates C Ryan Doumit, or Indians C Kelly Shoppach, who is a non-tender candidate, after which they’ll talk seriously with free-agent catchers Benjie Molina and Rod Barajas…
According to Buster Olney, of ESPN.com, Blue Jays RHP Roy Halladay would prefer to be traded to the Yankees, Red Sox, Phillies or Angels.
Jeremy Sandler of the National Post believes the Blue Jays will seek a major league-ready arm and bat, both young and affordable, as well as young prospects, in a deal for Halladay.
…like i said last week, from what i can gather, out of people connected to Toronto, the Blue Jays will ask the Mets for at least Mike Pelfrey and Ruben Tejada; they’ll ask the Yankees for at least one of Phil Hughes or Joba Chamberlain, and one of Austin Jackson or Jesus Montero; and they have already talked about Chad Billingsley with the Dodgers… according to people who know halladay, the only way he will approve a deal to Los Angeles is if he decides to not push for a contract extension, and instead plans to pitch one season and then take his talent to the open market…
Last week, in a post to ESPN.com, Buster Olney said Halladay could be in for a $60– to $80–million contract.
…obviously, he is going to want a six-year extension, much like santana got… the thing is, halladay is five years older than santana… and so, i think buster is correct, in that it will be difficult for halladay to pull in such a long-term commitment… the question will be, much like it was with johan and the Twins and the Mets, is halladay going to insist he get his desired extension in return for waiving his no-trade clause… remember, because he has a full no-trade, he can basically say to Toronto, ‘Trade me to that team, who better give me a seven-year deal, or I’m staying here with the Blue Jays,’ who will then need to close up shop and revisit the trade market again next summer… or, he could accept a deal, not sign an extension, risk injury, and go at the open market as a free agent one year from now…
…the point is, i think it all remains to be seen who has a legit chance to acquire him… the way i understand it, first, teams like the Mets, Yankees, Angels, etc., will signal to the Blue Jays who they are willing to trade… then, the Jays will need to discuss his options with halladay and his agent… then, the Jays will need to inform interested teams who has a chance to get him and who can’t… then, lastly, a deal must be worked out between the two teams, which could also include a negotiating window for an extension, like the Mets had with johan…
…in other words, i think we are a long way from knowing how this story ends… and so, i have a hard time believing anyone, be it any one team or reporter, who claims to truly know what is going on here… i think there is too much unknown…
In a post to Mets Minor League Blog, Toby Hyde explains why, considering the weak 
free-agent market for catchers, it might be best for the Mets to start next season with a Josh Thole-Omir Santos platoon behind the plate.
…frankly, i expect the Mets to sign a veteran catcher before the Winter Meetings, someone like Jose Molina, Chad Moeller or Henry Blanco, i.e., a very good, steady, defensive catcher, who is not a great hitter, but who can start if need be, go to Triple-A, or come in late in games… he will not be their first choice, obviously, but he’ll be a decent fall-back position…
…then, i have to think the Mets will explore the trade market for catchers during the Winter Meetings, especially guys like D-Backs C Chris Snyder, Royals C John Buck and Pirates C Ryan Doumit, or Indians C Kelly Shoppach, who is a non-tender candidate…
…in the end, though, i fear they’ll end up signing Bengie Molina, or Rod Barajas, both of whom are seeking long-term deals…
…actually, this seems to always be Omar Minaya’s way, i.e., fill each hole with ‘a guy,’ any guy, after which he will attack the Winter Meetings knowing he at least has a full roster… as such, it would not shock me to see the team also bring in a veteran middle infielder, or re-sign Alex Cora or Fernando Tatis, then tender a contract to a guy like Cory Sullivan, just so spots are filled… and so, this is not to say these are the final pieces to the puzzle, not by a long shot, but they are pieces… the Mets usually have another wave of these sort of signings in the weeks before Spring Training as well…
Last week, someone asked me if I was excited about the Mets adding a Museum and Hall of Fame to Citi Field.
I think I am. I don’t know yet.
I mean, right now, I am more interested in who I will be watching on field next season, not what will be featured off field.
That said, I like knowing parents will soon be able to walk their kids through a specific area and show off images of Ed Kranepool, Tom Seaver, the Trophies, the ground ball through Bill Buckner’s legs, etc., and essentially pass on that history, visually, with tangible items from the team’s past.
By the way, speaking of Seaver, to see video from his first game in the big leagues, check out On the Black.
In the end, I have no idea what to expect, in terms of what the Hall of Fame and Museum will look like.
If you have any ideas for what it will be, what you’d like it to be, what it should include, and so on, feel free to write it in the comment section of this post… I’m curious to hear what people think.
The Rockies plan to keep OF Ryan Spilborghs, according to FoxSports.com, “unless they receive a substantial offer.”
…the thing is, how many of these outfielders do the Rockies intend on having next season… it would seem to me, eventually, they’ll need to remove one of Dexter Fowler, Carlos Gonzalez, Matt Murton or Brad Hawpe, or spilborghs, from the roster, and most likely in a deal for a pitcher… yet, they keep signaling through reports that they have no intention of making any sort of change…
…i hope the Mets keep an eye on Colorado, since one of these guys could also easily end up non tendered and on the open market towards the end of December…
Speaking of outfielders…
According to the samr report, one rival executive believes the Red Sox actually prefer free-agent OF Matt Holliday, even though they continue to negotiate with free-agent OF Jason Bay.
Texas reporter T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com believes the Rangers are not trying to trade RHP Kevin Millwood.
Last week, the Chicago Tribune said the Mets, Cubs and Rangers had discussed a three-way trade that could have sent Luis Castillo to Chicago, Milton Bradley to Texas 
and Millwood to New York.
However, Tim Dierkes of MLB Trade Rumors and Sullivan of MLB.com both later said the deal would not happen.
Millwood is set to earn $12 million this season, after which he can become a free agent.
He was 13–10 with a 3.67 ERA in 31 starts; he tossed three complete games, while striking out 123 batters in 198 innings.
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